Apple’s New Backdoor Will End Privacy
On August 5, 2021 Apple announced that its next iOS update will include new surveillance features that will scan all photos uploaded to iCloud Photos and all iMessage images sent or received by child accounts. This announcement, which the company claims is meant to prevent child exploitation, creates a backdoor that actually endangers children, threatens human rights, will especially impact marginalized people, and destroys privacy and security on Apple devices.
There is no question that child abuse is a crisis that needs to be addressed, but broad surveilance of peoples’ devices is not the solution. This sort of monitoring is a shocking departure from Apple’s former commitment to privacy and security for its users. Because these scans happen on the devices themselves, they would bypass end-to-end encryption and establish a new precedent for law enforcement to access information on personal devices. Apple is the only major tech company to take this incredibly dangerous step—but once they do, others may be forced to follow.
This is yet another example of Apple using its monopoly power to control the devices we own. Similar to how Apple only allows users to download apps from its App Store, the company does not allow people to remove these features. The only way to fully opt-out of this surveillance system is to get rid of your devices.
There is still time to stop this—Apple could reverse course and decide to not push this update. Sign the petition and email Apple leadership to tell them to drop these plans and recommit to never opening any sort of backdoor to monitor our communications.
Read More:
- EFF: Apple’s Plan to “Think Different” About Encryption Opens a Backdoor to Your Private Life
- Center for Democracy & Technology: Apple’s Changes to Messaging and Photo Services Threaten Users’ Security and Privacy
- Apple Privacy Letter: An Open Letter Against Apple’s Privacy-Invasive Content Scanning Technology
- Reuters: Exclusive: Apple’s child protection features spark concern within its own ranks -sources
Email Apple Leadership
Email Apple leadership and tell them what you think.
Join a #nospyphone Protest
On September 13, people will join distributed protests at Apple stores across the country to demand Apple cancel its plans to install photo and message scanning spyware on its devices.
Check out the map to find an event near you and to RSVP to join a protest!
Don’t see an event near you? You can host your own event. Fill out this form and we’ll add your event to the map.